posted by Mike Madison at 10:12 PM /
Imagine the kinds of conversations that you have with your neighbor while you're walking around the block, or watching your kids play soccer or baseball, or that you have over coffee at your favorite coffee spot. Now extend that conversation into cyberspace, and sprinkle it with bits and pieces of information about the town that you haven't otherwise come across -- whether via anecdote, or the town magazine, or one of the local papers. Blog-Lebo is an experiment in virtual community conversation.
Political theorists call my goal "civic discourse," because it is part and parcel of the ability of a community to govern itself. Over the last week, I've deleted a fair number of Comments by readers of this blog, because both the content of the Comments and the manner in which they were expressed have no place in civil conversation. You wouldn't say these sorts of things to your neighbor. Even while you may disagree with your neighbor, you'll find a way to exchange views in a respectful way. I'll continue to review the Comments. Some readers disagree with some of the views that we (and other readers) express. (Not only that, but you'll find that the various authors of this blog don't always agree with one another, and we certainly don't represent any "official" view of or on behalf of Mt. Lebanon.) Disagreement is not only fine, it's a good thing, and we welcome the dialogue. But civility is as important as dialogue, and I'll do everything I can to keep the blog a place where everyone feels welcome.
UPDATE: In the Comments to this post, I've responded to questions regarding the status of the original Dollar Store post. I hope that answers the matter. If it doesn't, feel free to email me. It's more efficient than waiting for me to wade through the Comments and correct misunderstandings.
Political theorists call my goal "civic discourse," because it is part and parcel of the ability of a community to govern itself. Over the last week, I've deleted a fair number of Comments by readers of this blog, because both the content of the Comments and the manner in which they were expressed have no place in civil conversation. You wouldn't say these sorts of things to your neighbor. Even while you may disagree with your neighbor, you'll find a way to exchange views in a respectful way. I'll continue to review the Comments. Some readers disagree with some of the views that we (and other readers) express. (Not only that, but you'll find that the various authors of this blog don't always agree with one another, and we certainly don't represent any "official" view of or on behalf of Mt. Lebanon.) Disagreement is not only fine, it's a good thing, and we welcome the dialogue. But civility is as important as dialogue, and I'll do everything I can to keep the blog a place where everyone feels welcome.
UPDATE: In the Comments to this post, I've responded to questions regarding the status of the original Dollar Store post. I hope that answers the matter. If it doesn't, feel free to email me. It's more efficient than waiting for me to wade through the Comments and correct misunderstandings.
10 Comments:
I am wondering why you deleted the Sept. 24th post made by Jospehine Posti in which she called the Dollar Store "ghetto."
If you do indeed, as you write, support "civic discourse", I imagine that would also include the free exchange of ideas. As such, in an open society, we should welcome conflicting ideologies as well as stances diametrically opposed to our own. The fact that you have removed a controversial comment simply because it invited several isolated grenade-throwers demonstrates that your support of discourse is not quite as heartfelt as you portray it.
Ms. Posti made a comment on your site, a site to which you obviously hope to attract members of the community. Otherwise, you would not have set it up, correct? Therefore, when someone (a listed contributor, I might add) posts a comment for all the world to see, I think you then have an obligation to leave it there. I realize this site is your own and you can set the rules. But it appears somewhat childish to make the rules up as you go along. It's akin to the child on the playground who is on the losing end of a game, then declares, "I'm taking my ball and going home."
This also is a direct reflection of the type of input you value and the integrity of those in whom you place your trust. If Ms. Posti is inclined to make offhanded comments without thinking, why should she be able to rely on you to protect her? Isn't taking responsibility for one's ideas part and parcel of civic discourse?
If you are so concerned with Jo Posti's opinions, why don't you email her? jo@postiformtl.com
Jo's website says she supports open communication and transparency but removing her original statements is contrary to that. So, if the original post was removed w/o Jo's prior approval she should be livid. SInce the original post was not relisted, we can only assume Jo was okay with it being removed. Which means she must be embarrassed by it, or , that she asked for it to be removed.
I didn't remove the post. Jo removed her own post. She was tired of abusive anonymous comments and hopes, I think, to allow this particular issue to fade out. Meanwhile, I have been deleting abusive and inflammatory comments and will continue to do so. Whether and when Jo returns to the blog, and whether she reposts the original post about the Dollar Store, is her own business.
Mike
The best parts of her blog entry have been reprinted in the recent Post-Gazette article, folks.
Dear all,
Obviously, the last comment was *not* posted by Margery Sable, the former Superintendent of the Mt. Lebanon School District.
Mike
A quote from Jo from her webiste:
“During my career, I’ve learned how important transparency is. Offering clear information, answering questions directly and maintaining an open relationship with your audience, whether it is your constituents or the Wall Street Journal’s readers, is critical, “ said Posti. “The only way a communicator can build trust is to show people that you can be trusted.”
Hmmmm.....so how exactly does removing her "ghetto" post show that she truly believes these things? Removing the post indicates a non-willingness to discuss it further. There's no "transparency" in removing it.
She never gave a clear answer as to what she meant when she said it. And, if she said it in haste, without thinking, then just admit it already.
A prayer for those who don't think before they speak:
Please God,
Put your arms
around my shoulders
and
Your hand
over
My mouth.
I think that various Commenters have made all of the relevant points about the Dollar Store post. In some cases, they have been made over and over again. I'm closing further comments on the topic.
Mike
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